Debating Active Duty!

I am 22 years old and a member of the Tennessee Army National Guard with a 21B MOS (Combat Engineer). My initial contract obligation is over September 2010. I am an E-4 and from the looks of things in my overstaffed unit im not going to be seeing E-5 before my time is up. My plans right now are to go active and Special Forces. I do understand that Special Forces only accepts E-5 and above. Is it possible that I could talk to a recruiter and get a guranteed 5 and a slot for Special Forces Selection?

I believe that eager and outgoing men with a good fitness and attitude can always make it in the Army no matter what. Perhaps there is a chance for a waiver. But why worry? The other branches of the Army (yes also combat engineers) have excellent opportunities. But hurry, I have the gut feeling that Obama is going to reduce things....

Winter, in Britain an E4 is a Lance Corporal? Anyway, E stands for Enlisted. O for Officer. It is a pay grade not a rank. So, an E4 is a soldier with the 4th pay grade up. Like a SP4 (Specialist, the Army used to have many Specialists, now there is only one, the SP4). A SP4 is the same pay grade as a Corporal (two stripes). In other words both are E4. An O3 is a Captain (3 ranks up from 2ndLT which is an O1). An O5 is a Colonel and an E7 a Platoon Sergeant or Sergeant first Class (SFC). OK?